The new pickup also is expected to be produced at Honda's operation in Talladega County.

Introduced in 2005, the Ridgeline has won industry accolades for design and quality. But it straddles the line between utility vehicle and passenger car, and that hybrid concept -- while interesting -- can also be a liability.

Analysts have speculated that buyers may not have warmed to the pickup because they don't know quite what it is -- truck, SUV or car?

The Ridgeline's sagging sales in the past have prompted speculation about its demise, but lately its sales have been rising. So far this year, the Ridgeline's U.S. sales are up 29 percent over last year.

But it remains a low-volume, niche vehicle. Last year, Ridgeline production accounted for about 6 percent of the total output at Honda's Alabama plant, which is the sole production source of the vehicle.

The plant also produces the Odyssey minivan, Pilot SUV and Acura MDX.

Honda today also released a design sketch to show the styling direction of the new model.

"The next generation Ridgeline will build on Honda's role in creating
new value with a new take on advancing form and function in the truck
segment," Michael Accavitti, senior vice president of automobile
operations for American Honda Motor Co. Inc., said today in a prepared statement. "With a clear path
forward, Ridgeline will play an even more important role in our future
product portfolio and strengthen an already class-leading lineup of
light trucks."